An eye for the unique brings in bargain hunters

IN WITH THE OLD: Berlina Fels shows off a piece of antique glass art at the Antique Fair.PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

The Antique Fair had a "buoyant" start in Whanganui at the weekend.

Antique Fair charitable trust member Diane Akers said Saturday started off "quite busy", although the weather had disrupted the flow of people.

"We were pleased with the people that came through.

"There's been lots of interest - I don't know about buying - but the interest is there. People have come in and supported us."

The trust holds about 22 fairs around the country each year. They make a donation to the local hospice in each place, although will occasionally donate to different causes.

Mrs Akers thought people had "really enjoyed" the fair, held at the Wanganui Racecourse on Saturday and Sunday.

"They said it's really good quality. They can't believe how we've set it up. We're a professional group, not sort of garage-saley type stuff."

Organisers tried to make sure there was something for everyone.

"Everybody has different interests. People like the books. Ladies, the jewellery. Ladies love the china, men love the tools."

There were nine stall-holders at the Whanganui fair.

One was Berlina Fels, owner of LaBelle Antiques in Hawera.

"We specialise in glass and porcelain," she said.

Ms Fels has only just started attending fairs, and finds them "wonderful".

"I love it. People are really friendly. It's amazing what you can find, especially in country towns and stuff."

Ms Fels has been collecting antiques for about 40 years, after a friend introduced her to the industry.

Her oldest items are Asian porcelain from about the 1600s.

Mrs Akers wanted to remind people who had missed it that the Antique Fair would be in Paraparaumu in the Memorial Hall next weekend, and New Plymouth's La Mer Lounge the following weekend.